holding patterns

noun

plural of holding pattern
1
as in suspensions
a state of temporary inactivity repair work on the bridge was in a holding pattern for the duration of the winter

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in delays
an instance or period of being prevented from going about one's business the couple has been trapped in this holding pattern for six months, as adoption officials create more red tape

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of holding patterns The incursions forced Chișinău International Airport to temporarily suspend arrivals and departures Tuesday, sending incoming flights into holding patterns or diverting them to neighboring countries, according to tracking data. — Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 10 Sep. 2026 Several flights bound for the capital landed at airports outside Moldova or were forced into holding patterns, according to data from Flightradar24. — Gwladys Fouche, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2026 So should investors expect these trades to build up momentum again, or are these holding patterns set to continue? — Davis Giangiulio, CNBC, 8 Mar. 2026 Some of the most common causes for the delays were the gate not being ready, taxiway congestion, holding patterns, runway queues, crew or equipment delay and weather restrictions. — Marina Watts, PEOPLE, 22 Dec. 2025 Inbound flights that had been placed in holding patterns were cleared to land, and no cancellations were reported. — Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holding patterns
  1. suspensions
  2. delays
  3. waits
Noun
  • Nationwide gas prices have declined in recent days due to state fuel tax suspensions and seasonal changes in fuel production.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Seko nonetheless expects temporary gate suspensions and pilotage halts for Ningbo, Shanghai, Xiamen and Fuzhou from Friday night through Monday, with intermittent pilotage suspensions at Yangshan across the same window.
    — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of suspensions
Noun
  • While supply constraints are contributing to the delays, strong demand suggests the device could become another growth engine.
    — Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Together, these efforts can help smooth the often difficult path from the first unexplained symptoms to an accurate diagnosis, while reducing the risk of both misdiagnosis and unnecessary delays.
    — Bruce Bebo, STAT, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of delays
Noun
  • Some voters faced waits of up to two hours, and the county’s online wait-time map didn’t always match what people saw at the polls.
    — Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Oct. 2026
  • For instance, applicants from countries such as China and India (registration required) may face lengthier waits due to backlog risks and high demand.
    — Jill Jones, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of waits

Browse Nearby Words

holding pattern
holding patterns
holdings
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Cite this Entry

“Holding patterns.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holding%20patterns. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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